The Formby Bloghttp://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/
Stories of Formby and it's surrounding area.en-GB2018-02-17T10:12:51+00:00

Happy Chinese New yearhttp://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/2018/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html
Happy Chinese New Year. Enjoy the weekend celebrations that mark the start of a new...<p>Happy Chinese New Year. Enjoy the weekend celebrations that mark the start of a new year.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy Chinese New Year celebrations in Liverpool <a href="https://twitter.com/LivEchonews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LivEchonews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChineseNewYear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChineseNewYear</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liverpool?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liverpool</a> <a href="https://t.co/a5aanoORt6">pic.twitter.com/a5aanoORt6</a></p>
— Colin Lane (@snapperlane) <a href="https://twitter.com/snapperlane/status/964612851619934208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b7c950b988970b-pi" style="float: left;"><img alt="Chinese lanterns" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00df351c98ba883301b7c950b988970b img-responsive" src="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b7c950b988970b-120wi" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" title="Chinese lanterns" /></a></p>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Arts, Culture & SportsBlogFormby TodayHigh Days & HolidaysWhat's OnSean Brady2018-02-17T10:12:51+00:00Patient’s Praise for Innovative Prostate Surgeryhttp://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/2018/02/patients-praise-for-innovative-prostate-surgery.html
A leading urological surgeon has carried out surgery at Ormskirk hospital for the first time...<p>A leading urological surgeon has carried out surgery at Ormskirk hospital for the first time which improves bladder control due to an enlarged prostate.</p>
<p>A father-of-two was the first patient to benefit from the innovative surgery led by Consultant Surgeon Rahul Mistry.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b7c950312a970b-pi"><img alt="Mr Mistry" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00df351c98ba883301b7c950312a970b img-responsive" src="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b7c950312a970b-500wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Mr Mistry" /></a></p>
<p><br />Dave, who is in his forties and from Ormskirk, said:</p>
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<p>“I’m so much better. I was in and out of the hospital on the same day - in fact, the procedure took less than half an hour. Within three to four days I was fully recovered and I noticed an improvement almost immediately.</p>
<p>“Mr Mistry fully explained the operation to me beforehand and I would recommend this operation not only to friends and family but to all men who need it. I can’t believe how quickly it took me to fully recover and be back to how I used to be.”</p>
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<p>Prostate problems are more common in men aged over 50. The prostate gland surrounds the tube that carries urine out of the body and sits just below the bladder. An enlarged prostate can cause a lot of discomfort and unpredictability for men when they need to pass water, particularly at night.</p>
<p>The advantage of the new Urolift technique is a much faster recovery time, no routine need for a catheter, and a minimal effect on sexual function.</p>
<p>Patients traditionally had to stay in the hospital for two to three days and then take off a further six weeks. Instead, the Urolift procedure is a day case operation, saving the NHS money, and from which the patients will be recovered within two to three weeks.</p>
<p>Mr Mistry added:</p>
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<p>“It’s great news that patients at Ormskirk and Southport hospitals can now benefit from this innovative procedure, quickly recover and go on to lead a normal life again.</p>
<p>“It’s also much better value for the NHS as the Urolift is a day case operation which means patients don’t have to stay in the hospital. The post-operation infection rates are also much lower.”</p>
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<p>The surgery has been made possible through partnership work between NHS England, North West Innovation Agency, Urolift and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust and the NHS commissioners</p>
<p>If you have a problem with passing urine or have any signs or symptoms you should go and see your local GP.</p>
<p><strong>Telltale signs of prostatic enlargement:</strong></p>
<p><em>Signs of an enlarged prostate can include:</em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>difficulty starting or stopping urinating</li>
<li>a weak flow of urine</li>
<li>straining when passing urine</li>
<li>feeling like you’re not able to fully empty your bladder</li>
<li>prolonged dribbling after you’ve finished peeing</li>
<li>needing to pass urine more frequently or more suddenly</li>
<li>waking up frequently during the night to pee.</li>
</ul>BlogFormby TodayHealth & WellbeingNewsSpotlightSean Brady2018-02-15T15:57:49+00:00Welcome to the Formby Bloghttp://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/2018/02/im-tinkering-with-the-design-a-littleplease-be-patient-thanks.html
I'm not featuring a 'live feed' event today, but I will add occasional posts every...<p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I&#39;m not featuring a &#39;live feed&#39; event today, but I will add occasional posts every day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/live-tweet-event.html">Live Feed: Current Theme &#39;Chinese New Year&#39;</a></span><a href="http://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/live-tweet-event.html"><br /></a></em></span></p>BlogFormby TodaySean Brady2018-02-15T09:30:00+00:00Formby Parish Councillor Resignshttp://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/2018/02/formby-parish-councillor-resigns.html
Formby Parish Councillor Mike Coles Resigns. A casual vacancy has been declared and an election...<h3>Formby Parish Councillor Mike Coles Resigns.</h3>
<p>A casual vacancy has been declared and an election will&#0160;be held if 10 electors give notice in writing to the returning officer within 14 days, starting on 12 February.</p>
<p>Failing that the vacancy can be filled by co-option.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b7c94fc38e970b-pi" style="float: right;"><img alt="Vacancy" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00df351c98ba883301b7c94fc38e970b img-responsive" src="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b7c94fc38e970b-250wi" style="width: 250px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" title="Vacancy" /></a></p>
<p><strong>The legal requirements:</strong></p>
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<p><strong>.......Claiming a Poll</strong></p>
<p>Proper notification of the vacancy is essential because, on such vacancy occurring in the office of Parish Councillor, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held if, within fourteen days (this is calculated by excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday, bank holidays and days appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning – Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006) after public notice of the vacancy has been given, notice in writing of a request for such an election has been given to the returning officer by ten electors for the area. &#0160;If the parish council is warded, the request must come from ten electors within the relevant ward.</p>
<p><strong>If no such request is received within the time stipulated, the parish council must fill the vacancy by co-option as soon as practicable (see below).</strong></p>
<p>Once an election has been requested, however, the vacancy must be filled by election and the Council cannot fill it by co-option, even if there are insufficient candidates.&#0160; An election must be held within sixty days (calculated as above) of the date of the public notice of the vacancy......</p>
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<p><strong>Comment</strong></p>
<p><strong>Let&#39;s hope there are a number of potential candidates rather than filling the vacancy by co-option</strong> - that would be a recipe for complacency and in my view, damages the democratic&#0160;process.</p>
<p>Remember Parish and Town Councils are the most immediate level of local government. And in the right hands, they can be energetic, imaginative and the source of exciting local initiatives.</p>
<p><strong>Formby deserves the right sort of candidates. Could you be one?</strong><br /><br /></p>Active Citizens BlogCommentFormby TodayLocal Politics NewsNoticesSpotlightWhat's OnSean Brady2018-02-14T11:30:14+00:00Today is Ash Wednesdayhttp://www.formbyfirst.org.uk/2018/02/today-is-ash-wednesday.html
Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday derives its name...<p><em><strong>T</strong><strong>oday is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b8d2d990c3970c-pi" style="float: right;"><img alt="Ash Wednesday" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00df351c98ba883301b8d2d990c3970c img-responsive" src="http://formbyfirst.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351c98ba883301b8d2d990c3970c-320wi" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" title="Ash Wednesday" /></a></strong></em>Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically burnt palms from the previous year&#39;s Palm Sunday.</p>
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<p>In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as &quot;giving up&quot; certain luxuries in order to &quot;replicate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ&#39;s journey into the desert for 40 days.&quot; Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through a Lenten calendar, to draw themselves near to God.</p>
<p>The Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ&#39;s carrying the Cross and of his execution, are often observed. Many Roman Catholic and some Protestant churches remove flowers from their altars, while crucifixes, religious statues, and other elaborate religious symbols are often veiled in violet fabrics in solemn observance of the event. Throughout Christendom, some adherents mark the season with the traditional abstention from the consumption of meat, most notably among Roman Catholics.</p>
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<p>Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter. The day falls on a different date each year because Easter also occurs on different dates.</p>
<p>Why is it considered so important in the life of local Christians?</p>
<p>Essentially it mirrors the period Jesus spent in the desert before commencing his ministry. For many people from most religious traditions, periods of prayer, fasting and quiet meditation are an essential aspect of their faith life.</p>
<p>Contrary to some uninformed assertions Shrove Tuesday does not mark the start of Lent.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Shrove Tuesday is the last day of the liturgical season historically known as Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one sacrifices for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations, before commencing the fasting and religious obligations associated with Lent.</p>
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<p><em>(Source: Wikipedia)</em><br /><br /></p>BlogFormby TodayHigh Days & HolidaysSpotlightWhat's OnSean Brady2018-02-14T08:00:00+00:00